Mickey      That does not wipe out ten years. There’s a list of staff demanding back pay that is unbelievable. You had every queer from here to San Francisco on your pay role.

Judy      I needed them!

Mickey      Well you don’t need them any more.

Judy      Why not?

Mickey      Because I can handle all that.

Judy      Oh sure you can. I look like a car wreck for Christ’s sake! You’re obviously not handling it very fucking well.

Mickey      Well, maybe that’s because you are such a fuck-up.

Anthony      For heaven’s sake, do you have to swear all the time?!

Judy/Mickey (in unison)      Fuck off!

Anthony      … Fine. I don’t need to listen to this. I’ll come back in two minutes to see if you’re done.

He leaves the room.

Judy      … This whole thing is a mess. I shouldn’t have listened to any of you. Six weeks in that damn hole. Didn’t they tell anyone here that vaudeville died a dozen years ago? Why is it my responsibility to bring it back from the dead? For God’s sake, we all got dragged through the funeral, so leave it at that. Let’s just take the first ship out of here.

Mickey      No. We finish the run.

Judy      What the hell is this obsession with finishing things? Shows close, it happens.

Mickey      It’s not just a show. This is everything.

Judy      We don’t need it. Listen to me – (He resists.) Listen – listen –

She cups his face in her hands, pleading.

We have each other. We’ll get married and buy a small house somewhere. A small house, somewhere quiet. And rest. You can hold me in your arms – and we won’t tell anybody where we are. It’ll be just the two of us. We could bury her, Mickey. We could put Judy Garland deep into the ground and never see her again.

Mickey      We just can’t kill her. Everybody loves her.

Judy      I don’t want to be loved up there. I want to be loved down here.

Mickey      You are. For God’s sake, we’re getting married.

Judy      But who are you marrying, Mickey? Me or her?

Mickey (Grabbing her and looking into her eyes)      I gave up everything for you!

Judy      I’m sorry.

Mickey      No, no – I’m not. You’re the greatest thing that ever happened in my shitty life. I love you. (They embrace.) It’s all going to be ok … I’ll make sure of that. (A pause.) … Now – do you trust me?

Judy      … Yes.

Mickey      I mean, really trust me?

Judy      I do.

Mickey      … Well then … We have to go back. And finish the show.

Judy      But …

Mickey      Judy – you have to.

Judy      … No, Mickey – no, no.

Mickey      Judy!

Judy      No – I’m begging you! I am all sung out … I’m sorry, my angel. (Strong.) I just can’t do it.